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Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Why have some crop species lost more genetic diversity than others?
« on: 17/03/2018 17:05:35 »
I've come across the trend that almost all crops lost genetic diversity during domestication as a result of selection. But some species seem to have lost more than others. For example maize retains around 83% of its diversity but rice retains only around 10-20%, yet they likely both suffered similar selection pressures. Is there any reason why there would be such variation in genetic diversity loss?
I know perennials have retained more diversity than annuals because they've experienced fewer bottlenecks, having only recently been domesticated. But why would maize and rice, both domesticated at similar times and with similar selection pressures, have such variation?
I know perennials have retained more diversity than annuals because they've experienced fewer bottlenecks, having only recently been domesticated. But why would maize and rice, both domesticated at similar times and with similar selection pressures, have such variation?